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CLERMONT, Fla. – The Slippery Rock University softball team dropped the opener against Minot State, but responded with a late comeback victory over Minnesota State Moorhead to split a pair of games on day two of the Dot Richardson Spring Games in Clermont, Fla.

In the opener, the Beavers scored three runs in the second inning and received a stellar pitching performance from Mindy Lorimor to blank The Rock 3-0. Slippery Rock stranded eight runners in the shutout defeat.

Sophomore Katie Kaiser and senior Emily Lobdell each smacked doubles, while junior Alaynna Beers reached on a pair of singles in three at bats to lead The Rock's offense.

Freshman Carly DeRose picked up the loss after allowing three runs (two earned) on six hits in 3.1 innings pitched. Lobdell appeared in relief and allowed a hit in 2.2 shutout innings.

Lorimor recorded the win after throwing a complete game shutout. Lorimor allowed eight hits but struck out 11 and walked none.

In the nightcap, the Dragons jumped out to an early lead on a two-run homerun from Taylor Huss in the first inning. Sophomore Ashley Samluk smacked a RBI single in the fourth to bring The Rock within a run at 2-1, but Minnesota State Moorhead added a pair in the fifth to extend the Dragons' lead to 4-1.

Facing defeat, Beers led off the seventh inning with a sharp single to left field. A pair of errors loaded the bases for The Rock, before freshman McKenzie Popatak delivered a bases-clearing double deep to left field to tie the game at 4-4. Popatak advanced to third on the throw to the plate and scored the game-winning run on a walk off RBI from freshman Eliza Sykes.

Popatak paced the offensive attack for SRU, picking up two hits in four at bats with a double, three RBIs and a run scored. Samluk also chipped in two hits in four at bats with a RBI and a run scored, while Beers picked up two singles and scored a pair of runs.

Lobdell received the no decision after allowing four runs (two earned) on three hits in 4.1 innings. DeRose picked up the win after allowing a pair of hits in 2.2 shutout innings.

The split moves Slippery Rock's record to 3-6 on the season. Minot State improved to 10-5 with the win, while Minnesota State Moorhead drops to 2-3 this spring.

The Rock returns to action against Merrimack College Monday at 9:00 a.m. in day three of the Dot Richardson Spring Games. SRU will also face Saint Leo University Monday at 1:00 p.m.